From Robben Island. Robben Island is a 30 minute boat trip from the Waterfront in Cape Town, but it is a world of difference. Robben Island has a sad history. During apartheid, this is where South people who fought the government to change South Africa were jailed.

When we arrived at Robben Island the sky was dark and gray. We were met by a man named Sideeq Levy. Sideeq was once a political prisoner on the island. He now gives tours and teaches visitors about South Africa’s history so that the events that happened during apartheid will not happen again.

Sideeq took us on a tour of the island that most visitors do not get to see. This included the cell that Sideeq was held in. We also went to the limestone quarry where prisoners were forced into hard labor. Sideeq told us the limestone quarry was an awful place to work - very hot in the summer, very cold in the winter.

One of the prisoners forced to work in the limestone quarry was Nelson Mandela. He is the most famous prisoner of Robben Island. We visited the cell where he was held for 18 of the 27 years he was in jail. You can learn more about Nelson Mandela, and see his cell, in the video. Many other famous freedom fighters were also held here including Walter Sisulu.

Robben Island made me think about the many people who died or were placed in jail because they fought for equal rights during apartheid. It made me think of the leaders and heroes that were put in jail for their beliefs.

The trip back to Cape Town was very quiet. I thought a lot about the courage of the prisoners on Robben Island. I thought about how they never gave up in the fight for equality.

Tomorrow: Cricket.

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